Canadian women blow by Ireland to finish 5th at Langford Rugby 7s

Canada ended its weekend on a high note Sunday, defeating Ireland 29-12 for a fifth-place finish at the HSBC World Women's Rugby Sevens Series at Westhills Stadium.

Canada Women's Sevens Recap

7 years ago

Duration 1:44

CBC Sports' Brenda Irving and former Rugby Canada centre Andrea Burk recap the highlights from the World Rugby Women's Seven Series in Langford, B.C.

The Canadian team put together its two best matches of the weekend Sunday afternoon defeating England and Ireland after a disappointing quarter-final loss to the United States Sunday morning.

New Zealand defeated Australia by a lopsided 46-0 score in the series event final. The United States defeated France 21-5 to finish third.

"It's a cruel game in a lot of ways," said Canadian coach John Tait. "It was emotionally draining that quarter-final, but the ladies came back and showed their resilience."

Canada puts heartbreaking loss behind them

Canada was behind 14-0 to the Americans early in the quarter-final contest before fighting back to take the lead, but losing 28-26 on an end-of-match conversion kick.

United States edge Canada on final play of the match

7 years ago

Duration 20:20

Naya Tapper scored with no time remaining, and Alev Kelter kicked the game-winning conversion, as the U.S. beat Canada 28-26 in the Cup quarter-finals of the World Rugby Women's Seven Series from Langford, B.C.

"We're going to learn from some of the lessons on day one and the quarter-final," said Tait. "They put on their best two performances for the last under the most fatigue."

Canada held a 17-5 halftime lead over the Irish team and never looked back.

Canada defeats Ireland again, this time in 5th place match

7 years ago

Duration 22:03

After defeating Ireland on Saturday, Canada beat them again 29-12 on Sunday in the 5-6th place match, at the World Rugby Women's Seven Series in Langford, B.C.

Tait said the Canadian team is building a new leadership core under the guidance of captain Ghislaine Landry as well Bianca Farella and Kayla Moleschi.

The team was without emotional leader Britt Benn this weekend and former captain Jen Kish who recently announced her retirement.

"There's no B league here," Tait said. "They have to play against the top teams in the world and that's where they learn their lessons."

Farella scores hat trick

Canada's record for the weekend stands at four wins and two losses, defeating England, Spain and Ireland twice, but losing to Australia and the U.S.

Canada runs roughshod over England

7 years ago

Duration 20:52

Canada beat England 35-12, to set up a rematch with Ireland for fifth place at the World Rugby Women's Seven Series in Langford, B.C.

The Canadian women were on home turf looking to break out of an extended slump that saw the team finish fourth at the recent Commonwealth Games in Australia and fail to qualify for the medal round at a Sevens Series event in Japan.

Farella, with three tries against Ireland, said she was pleased the team rebounded after a difficult start Saturday and the quarter-final defeat Sunday.

"It's tough right," she said. "Everyone's gunning for gold at this point. Our team is definitely developing."

Hannah Darling and Charity Williams added one try each for Canada and Landry booted two conversions.